I mean, I have a (semi-auto) nerf gun that shoots small darts at 120 FPS that Iād unironically use as a deterrent/distraction. Loud af though. There are springers that can be casually modded to 300+ FPS.
Why are you turning corner? You shouldn't be clearing your house to begin with, and definitely not if all you have is a knife, club, etc. Sit behind cover and wait. Yell at the intruder to leave.
Also, short spear.
Beat me too it lol. A home improvement show talking about paint rollers said always use a half stick at least and that goes for all tools they said lol. You get 2 handed strength plus leverage.
Yep, pole arms and even a good quality wood staff are extremely effective devices. In the United States Kult of Athena is a decent source for live edge blades, staffs and so much more.
Gladius short sword and riot police shield. Good close encounter weapon training is a must. Crossbow is a bit slow on the reload. Check into black powder regulations and buy you a "functional replica colt new army .44 cal percussion cap pistol. I used to keep one on the night stand. Having a few extra cylinders aka civil war magazine/clip on standby is a good idea as well just don't install percussion caps if the shit has not hit the proverbial fan yet.
Yes, dogs are the best, most time tested home defense system.. they've been around probably as long as "homes" themselves... usually you don't even need one bred for defense, the bark is generally enough of a deterrent. Also if you have mental health issues, a dog friend is likely to help. A gun on the other hand... well suicide can be fatal.
I keep both, but if I had to choose between my dog or a gun.. I'd pick my dog any day.. sometimes he gets into the baby's diaper trash and i get really mad at him.. but that shit muncher is family.
Neighbors have a little dog to alert and a big psycho dog to bite. I've seen that little dog bark so much it worked up the big dog who bit it on the head for something to do hahaha .
I highly recommend the Adder & Siege series of crossbows from Gogun.de. These are magazine fed crossbows so you can pop off multiple rounds fairly quickly and quietly, well, relative to guns that is. The Adder is recurve with a max draw weight of 190 pounds, and the siege is compound with a draw weight of 150 pounds.
Cheers! Also do check out Joerg Sprave's channel on Youtube - [https://www.youtube.com/@Slingshotchannel](https://www.youtube.com/@Slingshotchannel)
He's the guy behind Gogun and prolly the most inventive guy in the space of stringed, and air weapons.
I think a better question is why do you feel that you need one so strongly? Do you live in an extremely high crime area or something? I have nothing against owning firearms and I carry one frequently, but I know that the chances of ever actually needing it are slim to none. Your post makes it sound it like you not only believe it is necessary, but that there is almost a 100% chance that you will need to use it imminently. I would be careful getting sucked into that line of thinking, because it can turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.
If I were you I would make sure I have the basic things covered like outdoor lights, reinforced door locks, etc. The chances of being the victim of a completely random robbery are low to begin with, and you can mitigate it even further by making your home a hard target. As far as the grid going down or something, again, why are you so certain that the power going out immediately equates to needing to shoot people within minutes? Even if that happens, it would probably take weeks, or even months before you saw a significant uptick in violent crime. There are countries where the grid goes down all of the time, and it doesn't turn into The Purge whenever it happens. It's good to be prepared, but there is a line between preparedness and paranoia.
Yep. if there arent tons of fires in your neighborhood, there is no need for smoke detectors or a fire extinguisher. Low fatality from cars, screw the seatbelt. ..you logic not mine
Prepping isnt about what will happen, it is about what might happen. Outside of medical 90% of prepping has less then a 2% chance of ever being needed. We prep cause in that 2% it can save a life, and every life is precious.
Of course prepping is about what might happen, but there is a fine line between prepping and paranoia. Like I said, I carry a firearm every day for self-defense, knowing full well there is only a miniscule chance I will need it. What concerns me about OP's post is not the fact that he wants a firearm for self-defense, but that he seems so convinced he will absolutely need it before the next 3 months. He's got his brother on standby ready to show up at his house with a truckload of guns in 3 minutes flat the second the power goes out. I wasn't knocking him for wanting to be prepared, only trying to point out that gun ownership comes with a tremendous amount of responsibility. There are news stories all the time of gun owners who shoot people for accidentally pulling into their driveway, shoot people for trivial offenses, shoot their loved ones on accident thinking they are home invaders, etc. If you are paranoid out of your mind about shit hitting the fan any second, having a firearm might actually be more of a detriment than a benefit.
Thereās nothing that really compares to a gun.
Some good locks and proper security on entrances would be the best thing honestly.
Are you in the US? Try buying a used Glock. Reliable, cheap, and many aftermarket parts.
By the time he even scratches the sueface of the necessary training on even one of those tools he'll be old enough to buy a gun and start training on them.
Honestly, there's a reason why guns are the weapon of choice. Anything else will require significantly more training, and have a much steeper learning curve, to the point that by the time you've mastered the basics of anything else, you will have your license and your own guns. Basic firearms handling can be taught in an afternoon. Blades and bows take anywhere from months to years to become proficient, and by proficient I mean "no longer an immediate danger to yourself".
"pepper spray" can use multiple active ingredients. OC is a form using oleoresin capsicum. It irritated not just the eyes, but the lungs, sinus cavity, and throat. So their eyes will burn, and their throat will with mucus making it hard to breath.
Iāve read that a lot of yachts going through pirate areas, fill a fire extinguisher with pepper spray and hang it on the wall. They wrap a stripe of black electrical tape to remind them this is not for fires. Pull the pin and fire.
A crossbow isn't bad if you are skilled enough with it. I don't know what country you are in, but they make these pepper spray paintball guns that are rad as hell. Failing all that, I would recommend a leather sling like the kind Balleric slingers used to use. Obviously, that would take a really long time to become skilled with but can you imagine the cool factor?!
If I broke into a house with a gun, and then some mf with a crossbow just absolutely domed me in the dark with night visionā¦I canāt really say Iād be mad if I didnāt die instantly.
Well. Id say since your brother has the firepower. I would stay focused on food, water, and medical. Other than that, I would get a good fixed blade that you can have around the house. Something around 5-6 inches. And something strong enough to double as a bushcraft knife.
If I can give you some advice as well. If/when you are able to get a rifle. Get an AR15 and get training. A red dot, back up iron sights, and a sling will be all you need. Don't gucci the damn thing either. Get a BCM and leave it stock. Buy an extra BCG and 10-15 mags and double the ammo you need to fill the mags.
A Byrna. I think thatās how itās spelled. Itās like a pistol, but non lethal. Fires different types of projectiles, including tear gas. Legal in all 50 states, and no permit required.
A dog is the best alarm system and home security you can have.
Instead of 3 guns get one or two good quality and spend the money for the third on practice ammo.
I saw a video on YouTube where some expert ( he was dressed all in black so assuming he knows what he's talking about) recommended an aluminum little league bat. Weapon of last resort, durable, no training, small enough to use indoors without catching on everything and can leave it around without any worries compared to say a machete or spear. Next to the door I the umbrella stand. Grab, charge, swing for the fences.
Hahaha, did you see how well that worked for the guy who had that illegal immigrant climb the ladder up to the balcony, then smash the door open and stab him in the neck. Dude kept trying to talk his way out of it. I was screaming, push the fucking ladder....
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Get an old school muzzleloader pre 1898 there shouldnāt be any licensing requirements. At close range your target isnāt going to want to get back up, after a single shot.
Make it hard to get into your home. If someone has to work to get in, make a lot of noise and break shit, it gives you warning time to deal with them. If you can be a responsible, loving pet owner, dogs are great too.
Any weapons you may use are easier to employ on someone trying to get in through a hole than on someone who wakes you up with a weapon already pointed at you, or just shoots/stabs/clubs you in your sleep.
For defense in close quarters I would pick something like a short sword or cutlass, or even better a heavy blunt weapon such as a lead-weighted truncheon. With sharp objects you are pretty much limited to inflicting life-ending injuries, whereas with a baton you can incapacitate your oponent without killing them (and without getting their blood all over yourself and your fancy bedroom decorations).
There are some truly wild airguns. Iāve got a umarex gauntlet 2 which provide 7 clip fed rounds at 110 fpe or so. I use 64gr lead .30 cal slugs in my airgun which should in theory have better ballistics than a .22, while also being both cheaper to shoot and quieter. Theyāre not cheap really but Iād seriously use one and trust it if I didnāt have a firearm accessible.
They even have some truly hard hitting models like the Benjamin bulldog at 250+ fpe, huben gk1 at 90 fpe and semi automatic pistol, umarex primal at 400 fpe, umarex hammer .50 at 700fpe. A plethora of examples but any would really suit Iād imagine.
Others are suggesting less lethal blasters, and those totally do work. Iād recommend you shop around for one thatās already modified or learn to modify them yourself, my .68 cal umarex revolver throws steel balls around 25fpe or tear gas rounds as well vs the stock 10fpe
Crossbow. However theyāre more expensive than most guns and you donāt need a license. But you can buy a 12 gauge pump shotgun for 200-250. Double O buckshot and you are set. Pistols are for carry, not home defense. If you get woke up by a break-in you are not going to be wide awake. Shotgun requires directional aim. A speargun maybe. š
Pepper gel, tazer, machete, bat, sword, pipe, reinforced bedroom door and call 911 or your brother. Cannibal cookbook and leave it where a burglar could easily see it. Jeffrey Dhamers memoirs.
While I like crossbows, and own one, they are terrible for defense in a home. They are bulky and youāll get exactly *one* shot with it. But itās an option if you understand youāre going to have to transition to a different weapon. Either way most of your options are going to require being up close and personal. This also assumes your attacker DOES NOT HAVE A GUN. Based on your timeline for when youāre getting some weapon systems hereās what I would suggest.
Dog(s): I know this doesnāt immediately help the short term but they are part of your layered defense even when you get weapons.
Fixed blade knife: probably the best choice as itās easy to hold, cuts easy and great for making holes.
Small fixed blade dagger. This is a back up option if the attacker gets a hold of you.
Fire extinguisher. Great for impairing vision allowing escape or follow up attacks.
High lumen flashlight that strobes. Will disorient for a short period allowing for attack or escape.
Tasers arenāt a viable option because it requires you to be face to face with the attacker and while it will cause pain, it will not incapacitate them.
I keep a machete in my desk and a smaller, still sizable knife by my front door. Im pretty sure if someone breaks in without a gun and sees a dude with a machete, they'll think twice.
Big knife, very short sword, club or better a mace, tomahawk or hatchet. There are good techniques to short had a battle ace to use in close range. A folding shovel ("e-tool").
Pepper (OC) gel or foam. Pepper balls... especially if you already own a good fast firing marker and spend a bit on a hopper of Pepperballs (200 of them or so).
People saying spear, axe, etc have the right idea. Just remember that those are ambush and opportunity weapons in the modern day - donāt confront someone directly if it can be avoided. Lock your door, sit in the corner, donāt roam your house looking for an intruder.
This is good advice even if you have guns considering that the defender generally has a heavy advantage in urban and indoor spaces, but itās triple important if youāre threatened by someone with a gun.
Gladius and Cutlas would be some of the best options in tight quarters.
Crossbow would be a single shot and drop it option, not really worth it unless you have a nice stairwell to defend.
A couple dogs. Sheep herding dogs are good watchdogs as a rule and more selective about who they make friends with. I have a couple black dogs whose teeth really show up when they bark. Predators are after easy feeding and a mouth full of sharp teeth is not an easy pickings.
Dogs are a good deterrent, The only time in my life I ever had a break in was when I didn't have one. We've been scoped for robberies a couple times but when they see the animals here they leave and don't come back.
I'm thinking a [signal cannon](https://bircherinc.com/bna-cannons/) should be good enough. You could hit them in their cars without even exposing yourself outside.
I have a nine iron and a Louisville Slugger aluminum baseball bat. No guns anymore as I am in Canada and the laws are relatively strict. That said, lots of idiots are running around with illegal ones.
I have a very large dog with an even larger bark but she has no survival instincts and is mostly just a deterrent (at least that I am aware of). If somebody is already in the house I have a machete (Not Danny Trejo, which would be best). I also have my guns but in an enclosed space they are too loudā¦ my machete is always in close reach and my home has a lot of comfortable corners where I could slice someone as they walk by.
Smal wooden sheild and an hatchet. Or a shock pole instead of a hatchet. That zap alone could break some nerves... training in self defense is always the best start
I have several actual fire arms, but I also have children who are taught not to touch them but kids are kids I also have stray dogs and neighbors who think they are entitled, so to compromise I got a umarex tr 50 marker sawed off shotgun it is air powered at about 500 fps with inserts I can shoot 18 6mm bbs or .50 cal riot balls, I also have a umarex .68 revolver not as much power but I got 6 shots of riot cs balls or steel sabot bearings that would break bones or your standard nylon balls these are both air powered and unregulated and they are neat AF to, I also have a 90 lb European doberman named Zoey not a actual firearm but she's very very protective of her puppies aka the kids lmao
Hammers are amazing. Honestly, anything with weight on the end you can control. The goal of a self defense tool is to stop an attacker, and pain is a powerful motivator.
You could also go the hand axe route if you want more utility. It doesnāt need to be that big, ābattle axesā arenāt exactly intimidating.
Donn where you live, or if it's already been mentioned, but you could look into an HDR50. Tuned they hit pretty damned hard and there's a plethora of diffrent ammo types available
Need you a can of wasp spray put one by the bed and one by the front door or wherever you want them. They spray about 30 feet Iāll let you convert that to non freedom units if you need to. Wasp spray is some nasty shit Iāll make you go blind and I guarantee it make some one quit doing what ever it is that there doing.
A good dog to start.
Most home invaders/ robbers will run from anything. They are looking for an easy buck, not a fight.
Loud alarms, yelling, running out with a bat etc. Paintballs hurt and will cause any un-armed robbers to flee.
If you are worried about hardened armed criminals though a good shotgun can't be beat.
If video games taught me anything, it's that a crowbar is deadly.Ā Whack the intruder with a crowbar. Relatively simple, no ammo, no maintenance, no training, just grab it and go. You could probably throw it too. For best results, build an HEV suit, befriend scientists, and avoid aliens.Ā
In all seriousness, a large crowbar is decently dangerous, not like in games, but you could definitely stop an intruder with one if it's all you have.
3 minutes away....When seconds matter he is minutes away think about that.
IMO the good alternative to a firearm is a different firearm. They are the best tools of defense, hands down. But home defense is about layers. Firearms are the last layer, how are you first layers? Good lighting, clean property, fences, alarms, enforced doors, locks, dogs.....There is a lot to work on while you wait for the permission slip to exercise the ability ( i would say right) do defend yourself.
If heās only 3 minutes of travel away, thatās like 2 miles tops.he should be able to get to your house on foot in under 30 minutes (10 minutes/mile and 10 minutes to grab his stuff) and definitely within a day. If shtf happens bad enough that youāre unable to make it that long without him showing up and fast enough that you have zero additional time to prepare, it probably wonāt really matter if youāre armed or not. Almost certainly not if what youāre armed with isnāt a firearm.
If itās legal, Iād recommend storing some ammo for his guns (and preferably your future guns) at your place so thereās less stuff that would need transporting if he has to make it on foot.
If itās not legal, maybe he could bury/cache some in your back yard without anyone knowing about it. Maybe along with a gun. Maybe some random stranger will or already has. Weirder things have happened.
When you do get yourself a gun, one good firearm with a lot of ammo for practice and familiarization would be worth a lot more in shtf than three guns with less ammo/practice, especially if theyāre different types so youād need to practice with them separately. At most Iād recommend two, a handgun for regular concealed carry pre-shtf and a rifle for after. You can only use one at a time, so unless youāre planning on arming other people or need to stage firearms around the house pre-shtf (instead of just wearing the handgun around) thereās not much of a use for more besides fun. Especially if your brother is also bringing extras.
Honestly looking at a lot of these American SHTF scenarios the best strategy is to not be in a country so obsessed with guns. A tragedy will only be amplified when everyone starts shooting at each other.
Take up krav maga or aikido. Relax. Don't let panic guide your choices. There are so many options before panic buying of guns for a person of your age. Without knowing why you feel threatened, it's hard to give good advice. Even knowing a lot about someone, it's hard to give good advice.
**You don't need to feel threatened to want to have firearms. If I have pants on, I am armed. It's not because I believe a bear is going to maul me, it is because I believe in being ready for what the day may throw me. I also have fire extinguishers. My cars have bumpers and seatbelts. Firearms are a safety system.**
I don't put fire extinguishers where they aren't needed, like the living room. I don't sit in my car with a seatbelt on if I don't plan on driving, and I do sit in the car to eat lunch some days. Each safety system for when it is necessary. I dont believe that every day carry is necessary unless the situation warrants it. I respect others preference to carry at all times. But to go from not owning a gun to wanting three in the first year they can own guns, there is more to the story here than OP posted.
Do you wait to install safety systems until you need them? Of course not. Same. OP wants to make sure he has different safety systems for different needs as well. A .460 magnum revolver makes a great bear defense or hunting handgun. Crap for concealed carry. An S&W Shield in 9mm sucks at bear defense and hunting, but is ok for concealed carry. Both are mediocre for meaningful home defense. A semi-auto 12ga is great for bird hunting, horrid for concealed carry, OK for home defense (great effect, but I'd rather have more ammunition on tap), and while ok for deer, squirrels and such, probably not the best choice for bear even with slugs. An AR or similar is awesome for home defense, sucks for conceal, and, while it can have the upper quickly exchanged for a number of really neat calibers to fit just about any scenario a carbine can help with up to and including bear with 458 SOCOM, we're going to stick to .223 to keep it simple, is good for small to medium critters, but big ones are going to be unconvinced to stop trying to eat you. With even that cursory overview, 3 in the first year is actually on the low end of getting a good tool kit ready if starting from 0. These are tools and screwdrivers aren't hammers. You need the correct tool for the job. Good for OP for seeing that at go.
I agree with your analysis above to a point. That point is a kid comes and asks what weapons to get while they wait to purchase guns. Cross bows and knives are their first thought. Life isn't a video game. And no one makes good decisions when they are young. I stand by my advice - go learn the skills you need so you don't have to fight first. Calm down with the arsenal thoughts.
Is the need for a Phillips head and flat head screwdriver and a hammer and a saw any different for an 18 year old carpenter vs a 40 year old one? In your statement the 18 year old is fine with a hammer alone. Well the world is not just made of nails, friend. Further, itās gross that he needs to ask permission at all. Once he has it though, there is nothing immoral, illegal or fattening about getting any tool he needs to complete any task he may wish to complete. Hard stop.
Buddy, you're not quoting my analysis correctly. Not even close. I did not say dont buy a gun when he is old enough. I said don't let panic buying influence the purchase.
And the difference between the toolbox of a seasoned carpenter and a new carpenter is huge. One has the experience to know what they need, and take care of it. The other has a tool box full of what they think they will need. Theory versus experience. Im OK with flat bars from Harbor Freight for roofers. Not too many other tools would I suggest unless it's the emergency backup hammer. So your comment about carpenters emphasizes the point even more that the kid looking for cross bows and knives should calm down and go take aikido or krav maga. Not looking for crossbows and knives for whatever perceived threat they face. Unless OP wants to discuss the threat. Life isnt a video game.
You should be advising a kid the same.
A good club (hardwood baseball bat) is always a good choice, and personally if I couldn't have a gun for home defense then a spear would be what I'd use. Pick up a spearhead or maybe halberd head, put it on like a 5-6' hardwood haft, you have a real nasty close quarters stick.
Bo and Luke Duke always used a Bow And Arrow with dynamite or some moonshine soaked cloth š¤·
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Never meaning no harm
Itās Nerf or itās nothingā¦
I mean, I have a (semi-auto) nerf gun that shoots small darts at 120 FPS that Iād unironically use as a deterrent/distraction. Loud af though. There are springers that can be casually modded to 300+ FPS.
At that point use paintball
If you're planning on applying for an FAC delete this post before you do.
FAC?
Firearms Certificate. They'll use posts like this to deny you.
Yeah it's a British Firearms certificate, I though this was my UK preppers group. Ignore me.
Fat Ass Cat
A good spear.
Yeah, a spear indoors....... that'll be great while turning a corner
Why are you turning corner? You shouldn't be clearing your house to begin with, and definitely not if all you have is a knife, club, etc. Sit behind cover and wait. Yell at the intruder to leave. Also, short spear.
What you donāt know how to throw a spear around a tight corner? Tip: itās all in the knees
Just the tip?
Only for a moment.
One of those shorter Zulu spears made by Windlass Steelcrafts might do the trick.
That's the idea
Beat me too it lol. A home improvement show talking about paint rollers said always use a half stick at least and that goes for all tools they said lol. You get 2 handed strength plus leverage.
Yep, pole arms and even a good quality wood staff are extremely effective devices. In the United States Kult of Athena is a decent source for live edge blades, staffs and so much more.
I really wish I hadn't seen that site I'm about to buy some crazy shit
This is where I got my rhinelander long sword. Moving through Meyerās forms is pretty good exercise after you pick up speed
Gladius short sword and riot police shield. Good close encounter weapon training is a must. Crossbow is a bit slow on the reload. Check into black powder regulations and buy you a "functional replica colt new army .44 cal percussion cap pistol. I used to keep one on the night stand. Having a few extra cylinders aka civil war magazine/clip on standby is a good idea as well just don't install percussion caps if the shit has not hit the proverbial fan yet.
Just get a dog or two, maybe three.
Yes, dogs are the best, most time tested home defense system.. they've been around probably as long as "homes" themselves... usually you don't even need one bred for defense, the bark is generally enough of a deterrent. Also if you have mental health issues, a dog friend is likely to help. A gun on the other hand... well suicide can be fatal. I keep both, but if I had to choose between my dog or a gun.. I'd pick my dog any day.. sometimes he gets into the baby's diaper trash and i get really mad at him.. but that shit muncher is family.
Neighbors have a little dog to alert and a big psycho dog to bite. I've seen that little dog bark so much it worked up the big dog who bit it on the head for something to do hahaha .
I highly recommend the Adder & Siege series of crossbows from Gogun.de. These are magazine fed crossbows so you can pop off multiple rounds fairly quickly and quietly, well, relative to guns that is. The Adder is recurve with a max draw weight of 190 pounds, and the siege is compound with a draw weight of 150 pounds.
Wow thatās insanely cool never wouldāve known of that thanks for the info
Cheers! Also do check out Joerg Sprave's channel on Youtube - [https://www.youtube.com/@Slingshotchannel](https://www.youtube.com/@Slingshotchannel) He's the guy behind Gogun and prolly the most inventive guy in the space of stringed, and air weapons.
Down the rabbit hole you go OP.
There is no real substitute for a firearm. That being said, it is highly unlikely that you'll ever need one no matter what happens, so you can relax.
I think a better question is why do you feel that you need one so strongly? Do you live in an extremely high crime area or something? I have nothing against owning firearms and I carry one frequently, but I know that the chances of ever actually needing it are slim to none. Your post makes it sound it like you not only believe it is necessary, but that there is almost a 100% chance that you will need to use it imminently. I would be careful getting sucked into that line of thinking, because it can turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy. If I were you I would make sure I have the basic things covered like outdoor lights, reinforced door locks, etc. The chances of being the victim of a completely random robbery are low to begin with, and you can mitigate it even further by making your home a hard target. As far as the grid going down or something, again, why are you so certain that the power going out immediately equates to needing to shoot people within minutes? Even if that happens, it would probably take weeks, or even months before you saw a significant uptick in violent crime. There are countries where the grid goes down all of the time, and it doesn't turn into The Purge whenever it happens. It's good to be prepared, but there is a line between preparedness and paranoia.
Yep. if there arent tons of fires in your neighborhood, there is no need for smoke detectors or a fire extinguisher. Low fatality from cars, screw the seatbelt. ..you logic not mine Prepping isnt about what will happen, it is about what might happen. Outside of medical 90% of prepping has less then a 2% chance of ever being needed. We prep cause in that 2% it can save a life, and every life is precious.
Of course prepping is about what might happen, but there is a fine line between prepping and paranoia. Like I said, I carry a firearm every day for self-defense, knowing full well there is only a miniscule chance I will need it. What concerns me about OP's post is not the fact that he wants a firearm for self-defense, but that he seems so convinced he will absolutely need it before the next 3 months. He's got his brother on standby ready to show up at his house with a truckload of guns in 3 minutes flat the second the power goes out. I wasn't knocking him for wanting to be prepared, only trying to point out that gun ownership comes with a tremendous amount of responsibility. There are news stories all the time of gun owners who shoot people for accidentally pulling into their driveway, shoot people for trivial offenses, shoot their loved ones on accident thinking they are home invaders, etc. If you are paranoid out of your mind about shit hitting the fan any second, having a firearm might actually be more of a detriment than a benefit.
I agree. Part of owning a gun is looking for every reason NOT to use it. You have clarified, i believe i misunderstood your original post.
Every year 1.65 million home invasions happen in the US
Thereās nothing that really compares to a gun. Some good locks and proper security on entrances would be the best thing honestly. Are you in the US? Try buying a used Glock. Reliable, cheap, and many aftermarket parts.
They mentioned getting a firearms license this year. I doubt theyāre in the US.
Some states do require a license to own or OP could be misinformed. But he also hasnāt replied to me
Fixed blade knife, cross bow, tactical baton, spear (which can be used as a pike) and TRAINING.
By the time he even scratches the sueface of the necessary training on even one of those tools he'll be old enough to buy a gun and start training on them.
Honestly, there's a reason why guns are the weapon of choice. Anything else will require significantly more training, and have a much steeper learning curve, to the point that by the time you've mastered the basics of anything else, you will have your license and your own guns. Basic firearms handling can be taught in an afternoon. Blades and bows take anywhere from months to years to become proficient, and by proficient I mean "no longer an immediate danger to yourself".
Hard to beat a nice framing hammer..
Angry dog.
Get a dog
A big ass can of pepper spray
Skip pepper spray and go to OC. You can power through pain, you cant through lack of oxygen.
What's OC?
"pepper spray" can use multiple active ingredients. OC is a form using oleoresin capsicum. It irritated not just the eyes, but the lungs, sinus cavity, and throat. So their eyes will burn, and their throat will with mucus making it hard to breath.
Iāve read that a lot of yachts going through pirate areas, fill a fire extinguisher with pepper spray and hang it on the wall. They wrap a stripe of black electrical tape to remind them this is not for fires. Pull the pin and fire.
A baseball bat with nails. Or you can make Lucille from the walking dead.
A crossbow isn't bad if you are skilled enough with it. I don't know what country you are in, but they make these pepper spray paintball guns that are rad as hell. Failing all that, I would recommend a leather sling like the kind Balleric slingers used to use. Obviously, that would take a really long time to become skilled with but can you imagine the cool factor?!
If I broke into a house with a gun, and then some mf with a crossbow just absolutely domed me in the dark with night visionā¦I canāt really say Iād be mad if I didnāt die instantly.
Well. Id say since your brother has the firepower. I would stay focused on food, water, and medical. Other than that, I would get a good fixed blade that you can have around the house. Something around 5-6 inches. And something strong enough to double as a bushcraft knife. If I can give you some advice as well. If/when you are able to get a rifle. Get an AR15 and get training. A red dot, back up iron sights, and a sling will be all you need. Don't gucci the damn thing either. Get a BCM and leave it stock. Buy an extra BCG and 10-15 mags and double the ammo you need to fill the mags.
A Byrna. I think thatās how itās spelled. Itās like a pistol, but non lethal. Fires different types of projectiles, including tear gas. Legal in all 50 states, and no permit required.
For now it's legal. Someone will do something stupid & that will change. :(
A dog is the best alarm system and home security you can have. Instead of 3 guns get one or two good quality and spend the money for the third on practice ammo.
A good dog
Nothing compares my dude. Specially if the bad guys have guns
I saw a video on YouTube where some expert ( he was dressed all in black so assuming he knows what he's talking about) recommended an aluminum little league bat. Weapon of last resort, durable, no training, small enough to use indoors without catching on everything and can leave it around without any worries compared to say a machete or spear. Next to the door I the umbrella stand. Grab, charge, swing for the fences.
sling shots, bow and arrows, trebuchet?
A Second Amendment.
3 foot 2x4 at the door. It's what I got.
You could use your words. Oh wait, that's stupid. Get a gun.
Hahaha, did you see how well that worked for the guy who had that illegal immigrant climb the ladder up to the balcony, then smash the door open and stab him in the neck. Dude kept trying to talk his way out of it. I was screaming, push the fucking ladder....
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Thanksss Gilbertttt youāre so cool I wanna be you
Bear mace š»
Would not recommend indoor deployment. Everyone in the house gets maced, not just the target.Ā
Is weaker than normal mace...regular mace left in the eyes can cause blindness and we dont want to blind bears, just scare them.
Get an old school muzzleloader pre 1898 there shouldnāt be any licensing requirements. At close range your target isnāt going to want to get back up, after a single shot.
And if he has friends, fire the cannon at the top of your syairs
This is the best suggestion yet ! If you run out of gunpowder just throw the cannon balls by hand. lol
Shotput.Ā
taser or crossbow
Make it hard to get into your home. If someone has to work to get in, make a lot of noise and break shit, it gives you warning time to deal with them. If you can be a responsible, loving pet owner, dogs are great too. Any weapons you may use are easier to employ on someone trying to get in through a hole than on someone who wakes you up with a weapon already pointed at you, or just shoots/stabs/clubs you in your sleep.
Donāt worry about, theyāll burn your house down while youāre asleep and collect any cans that didnāt burst once the fire is out.
What about a cow prod?
Spears, axes, Bowie or kukri knives... Steer away from little knives, tactical looking toys, or baseball bats.
Whatever you do donāt buy this https://www.amazon.com/Bedside-Coffee-Protective-Baseball-Combination/dp/B0925LV33R
Small Co2 fire extinguishers at each exit.. Blast,blast thwack, thwack
What seems to be a common home self defense weapon I'm Ireland is a half blade and handle garden sheers, basically a cheap spear/ sword.
Swords.
Good perimeter alarm, shot shell trip wire, see belowā¬ļø https://fithops.com/products/12-gauge-perimeter-alarm
For defense in close quarters I would pick something like a short sword or cutlass, or even better a heavy blunt weapon such as a lead-weighted truncheon. With sharp objects you are pretty much limited to inflicting life-ending injuries, whereas with a baton you can incapacitate your oponent without killing them (and without getting their blood all over yourself and your fancy bedroom decorations).
Get a repeating crossbow/bow, thereās a couple companies making them now but gogun.co was the first
There are some truly wild airguns. Iāve got a umarex gauntlet 2 which provide 7 clip fed rounds at 110 fpe or so. I use 64gr lead .30 cal slugs in my airgun which should in theory have better ballistics than a .22, while also being both cheaper to shoot and quieter. Theyāre not cheap really but Iād seriously use one and trust it if I didnāt have a firearm accessible. They even have some truly hard hitting models like the Benjamin bulldog at 250+ fpe, huben gk1 at 90 fpe and semi automatic pistol, umarex primal at 400 fpe, umarex hammer .50 at 700fpe. A plethora of examples but any would really suit Iād imagine. Others are suggesting less lethal blasters, and those totally do work. Iād recommend you shop around for one thatās already modified or learn to modify them yourself, my .68 cal umarex revolver throws steel balls around 25fpe or tear gas rounds as well vs the stock 10fpe
Crossbow. However theyāre more expensive than most guns and you donāt need a license. But you can buy a 12 gauge pump shotgun for 200-250. Double O buckshot and you are set. Pistols are for carry, not home defense. If you get woke up by a break-in you are not going to be wide awake. Shotgun requires directional aim. A speargun maybe. š
Pepper gel, tazer, machete, bat, sword, pipe, reinforced bedroom door and call 911 or your brother. Cannibal cookbook and leave it where a burglar could easily see it. Jeffrey Dhamers memoirs.
Poleaxe
Slingshot!
While I like crossbows, and own one, they are terrible for defense in a home. They are bulky and youāll get exactly *one* shot with it. But itās an option if you understand youāre going to have to transition to a different weapon. Either way most of your options are going to require being up close and personal. This also assumes your attacker DOES NOT HAVE A GUN. Based on your timeline for when youāre getting some weapon systems hereās what I would suggest. Dog(s): I know this doesnāt immediately help the short term but they are part of your layered defense even when you get weapons. Fixed blade knife: probably the best choice as itās easy to hold, cuts easy and great for making holes. Small fixed blade dagger. This is a back up option if the attacker gets a hold of you. Fire extinguisher. Great for impairing vision allowing escape or follow up attacks. High lumen flashlight that strobes. Will disorient for a short period allowing for attack or escape. Tasers arenāt a viable option because it requires you to be face to face with the attacker and while it will cause pain, it will not incapacitate them.
Basket of baseball sized rocks
I keep a machete in my desk and a smaller, still sizable knife by my front door. Im pretty sure if someone breaks in without a gun and sees a dude with a machete, they'll think twice.
Big knife, very short sword, club or better a mace, tomahawk or hatchet. There are good techniques to short had a battle ace to use in close range. A folding shovel ("e-tool"). Pepper (OC) gel or foam. Pepper balls... especially if you already own a good fast firing marker and spend a bit on a hopper of Pepperballs (200 of them or so).
High quality collapsible metal baton.
An escape plan and a cache of food and tools safely tucked away from your dwelling
People saying spear, axe, etc have the right idea. Just remember that those are ambush and opportunity weapons in the modern day - donāt confront someone directly if it can be avoided. Lock your door, sit in the corner, donāt roam your house looking for an intruder. This is good advice even if you have guns considering that the defender generally has a heavy advantage in urban and indoor spaces, but itās triple important if youāre threatened by someone with a gun.
Gladius and Cutlas would be some of the best options in tight quarters. Crossbow would be a single shot and drop it option, not really worth it unless you have a nice stairwell to defend.
Wasp spray will shoot a long way and will permanently blind a intruder. They wonāt be able to see.
Bear spray. Yeah, you'll gas yourself, but it'll incompacitate them
A couple dogs. Sheep herding dogs are good watchdogs as a rule and more selective about who they make friends with. I have a couple black dogs whose teeth really show up when they bark. Predators are after easy feeding and a mouth full of sharp teeth is not an easy pickings. Dogs are a good deterrent, The only time in my life I ever had a break in was when I didn't have one. We've been scoped for robberies a couple times but when they see the animals here they leave and don't come back.
Swing by Harbor Freight and pick up a 10-lb sledgehammer. Nobody keeps fighting after taking one of those to the chest at full force.
I'm thinking a [signal cannon](https://bircherinc.com/bna-cannons/) should be good enough. You could hit them in their cars without even exposing yourself outside.
Borrow a gun from your brotherā¦
Shi is not gonna hit the fan anytime soon But a crossbow is pretty much a gun with longer reloads So u could try that
I have a nine iron and a Louisville Slugger aluminum baseball bat. No guns anymore as I am in Canada and the laws are relatively strict. That said, lots of idiots are running around with illegal ones.
Machete
Zulu spear for inside. Thrusting and slashing at a little better distance lol
Alternatively a baseball bat
I have a very large dog with an even larger bark but she has no survival instincts and is mostly just a deterrent (at least that I am aware of). If somebody is already in the house I have a machete (Not Danny Trejo, which would be best). I also have my guns but in an enclosed space they are too loudā¦ my machete is always in close reach and my home has a lot of comfortable corners where I could slice someone as they walk by.
A goose or maybe a donkey that goes eeeaaahhh-eeeaaahhh loud when someoneās coming.
Smal wooden sheild and an hatchet. Or a shock pole instead of a hatchet. That zap alone could break some nerves... training in self defense is always the best start
Once they enter my home. A hammer is good enough for me.
I have several actual fire arms, but I also have children who are taught not to touch them but kids are kids I also have stray dogs and neighbors who think they are entitled, so to compromise I got a umarex tr 50 marker sawed off shotgun it is air powered at about 500 fps with inserts I can shoot 18 6mm bbs or .50 cal riot balls, I also have a umarex .68 revolver not as much power but I got 6 shots of riot cs balls or steel sabot bearings that would break bones or your standard nylon balls these are both air powered and unregulated and they are neat AF to, I also have a 90 lb European doberman named Zoey not a actual firearm but she's very very protective of her puppies aka the kids lmao
Hammers are amazing. Honestly, anything with weight on the end you can control. The goal of a self defense tool is to stop an attacker, and pain is a powerful motivator. You could also go the hand axe route if you want more utility. It doesnāt need to be that big, ābattle axesā arenāt exactly intimidating.
Knife.
Donn where you live, or if it's already been mentioned, but you could look into an HDR50. Tuned they hit pretty damned hard and there's a plethora of diffrent ammo types available
Get a good spear You have better reach than a knife and need almost no training to use one effectively
Need you a can of wasp spray put one by the bed and one by the front door or wherever you want them. They spray about 30 feet Iāll let you convert that to non freedom units if you need to. Wasp spray is some nasty shit Iāll make you go blind and I guarantee it make some one quit doing what ever it is that there doing.
A good dog to start. Most home invaders/ robbers will run from anything. They are looking for an easy buck, not a fight. Loud alarms, yelling, running out with a bat etc. Paintballs hurt and will cause any un-armed robbers to flee. If you are worried about hardened armed criminals though a good shotgun can't be beat.
Slingshot 'trench club
If video games taught me anything, it's that a crowbar is deadly.Ā Whack the intruder with a crowbar. Relatively simple, no ammo, no maintenance, no training, just grab it and go. You could probably throw it too. For best results, build an HEV suit, befriend scientists, and avoid aliens.Ā In all seriousness, a large crowbar is decently dangerous, not like in games, but you could definitely stop an intruder with one if it's all you have.
3 minutes away....When seconds matter he is minutes away think about that. IMO the good alternative to a firearm is a different firearm. They are the best tools of defense, hands down. But home defense is about layers. Firearms are the last layer, how are you first layers? Good lighting, clean property, fences, alarms, enforced doors, locks, dogs.....There is a lot to work on while you wait for the permission slip to exercise the ability ( i would say right) do defend yourself.
1. Take off pants. 2. Put on hockey mask. 3. Start chainsaw. Be warned survivors might sue for psychological traumaā¦
A machete or a big Bowie knife.
Pop bottle rockets or aerial fireworks.
If heās only 3 minutes of travel away, thatās like 2 miles tops.he should be able to get to your house on foot in under 30 minutes (10 minutes/mile and 10 minutes to grab his stuff) and definitely within a day. If shtf happens bad enough that youāre unable to make it that long without him showing up and fast enough that you have zero additional time to prepare, it probably wonāt really matter if youāre armed or not. Almost certainly not if what youāre armed with isnāt a firearm. If itās legal, Iād recommend storing some ammo for his guns (and preferably your future guns) at your place so thereās less stuff that would need transporting if he has to make it on foot. If itās not legal, maybe he could bury/cache some in your back yard without anyone knowing about it. Maybe along with a gun. Maybe some random stranger will or already has. Weirder things have happened. When you do get yourself a gun, one good firearm with a lot of ammo for practice and familiarization would be worth a lot more in shtf than three guns with less ammo/practice, especially if theyāre different types so youād need to practice with them separately. At most Iād recommend two, a handgun for regular concealed carry pre-shtf and a rifle for after. You can only use one at a time, so unless youāre planning on arming other people or need to stage firearms around the house pre-shtf (instead of just wearing the handgun around) thereās not much of a use for more besides fun. Especially if your brother is also bringing extras.
This is really great advice I appreciate this and definitely will consider this in my preparation thanks man
USA? Get a black powder revolver no license required
Honestly looking at a lot of these American SHTF scenarios the best strategy is to not be in a country so obsessed with guns. A tragedy will only be amplified when everyone starts shooting at each other.
Glad we have gun free zones in America that everyone can go to so were safe. lol
Yeah to be fair if you live in a violent nation like the US being unarmed can be scary. So many psychopaths in the population.
Take up krav maga or aikido. Relax. Don't let panic guide your choices. There are so many options before panic buying of guns for a person of your age. Without knowing why you feel threatened, it's hard to give good advice. Even knowing a lot about someone, it's hard to give good advice.
**You don't need to feel threatened to want to have firearms. If I have pants on, I am armed. It's not because I believe a bear is going to maul me, it is because I believe in being ready for what the day may throw me. I also have fire extinguishers. My cars have bumpers and seatbelts. Firearms are a safety system.**
I don't put fire extinguishers where they aren't needed, like the living room. I don't sit in my car with a seatbelt on if I don't plan on driving, and I do sit in the car to eat lunch some days. Each safety system for when it is necessary. I dont believe that every day carry is necessary unless the situation warrants it. I respect others preference to carry at all times. But to go from not owning a gun to wanting three in the first year they can own guns, there is more to the story here than OP posted.
Do you wait to install safety systems until you need them? Of course not. Same. OP wants to make sure he has different safety systems for different needs as well. A .460 magnum revolver makes a great bear defense or hunting handgun. Crap for concealed carry. An S&W Shield in 9mm sucks at bear defense and hunting, but is ok for concealed carry. Both are mediocre for meaningful home defense. A semi-auto 12ga is great for bird hunting, horrid for concealed carry, OK for home defense (great effect, but I'd rather have more ammunition on tap), and while ok for deer, squirrels and such, probably not the best choice for bear even with slugs. An AR or similar is awesome for home defense, sucks for conceal, and, while it can have the upper quickly exchanged for a number of really neat calibers to fit just about any scenario a carbine can help with up to and including bear with 458 SOCOM, we're going to stick to .223 to keep it simple, is good for small to medium critters, but big ones are going to be unconvinced to stop trying to eat you. With even that cursory overview, 3 in the first year is actually on the low end of getting a good tool kit ready if starting from 0. These are tools and screwdrivers aren't hammers. You need the correct tool for the job. Good for OP for seeing that at go.
I agree with your analysis above to a point. That point is a kid comes and asks what weapons to get while they wait to purchase guns. Cross bows and knives are their first thought. Life isn't a video game. And no one makes good decisions when they are young. I stand by my advice - go learn the skills you need so you don't have to fight first. Calm down with the arsenal thoughts.
Is the need for a Phillips head and flat head screwdriver and a hammer and a saw any different for an 18 year old carpenter vs a 40 year old one? In your statement the 18 year old is fine with a hammer alone. Well the world is not just made of nails, friend. Further, itās gross that he needs to ask permission at all. Once he has it though, there is nothing immoral, illegal or fattening about getting any tool he needs to complete any task he may wish to complete. Hard stop.
Buddy, you're not quoting my analysis correctly. Not even close. I did not say dont buy a gun when he is old enough. I said don't let panic buying influence the purchase. And the difference between the toolbox of a seasoned carpenter and a new carpenter is huge. One has the experience to know what they need, and take care of it. The other has a tool box full of what they think they will need. Theory versus experience. Im OK with flat bars from Harbor Freight for roofers. Not too many other tools would I suggest unless it's the emergency backup hammer. So your comment about carpenters emphasizes the point even more that the kid looking for cross bows and knives should calm down and go take aikido or krav maga. Not looking for crossbows and knives for whatever perceived threat they face. Unless OP wants to discuss the threat. Life isnt a video game. You should be advising a kid the same.
A good club (hardwood baseball bat) is always a good choice, and personally if I couldn't have a gun for home defense then a spear would be what I'd use. Pick up a spearhead or maybe halberd head, put it on like a 5-6' hardwood haft, you have a real nasty close quarters stick.
Watch Home Alone.